Examples of guys who were top tier fighters but weren’t fan friendly?

[Gio]

DJ, with all due respect. There's a reason why KZ has headlined more UFC events than him.

 

[FIghtxIQ]

Just got done watching Rigondeaux basically box circles around a champion while throwing next to no punches and he lost a very boring fight I thought he won. Everything about the man screams ATG boxer and yet his refusal to box like this isn’t the amateurs kills him every time. Any examples of guys who you knew had the skills to be the best but either their style ruined chances for them or they were canned before they were given a chance to succeed?

You need offense as well. You can just win on defense alone. That's Rigo's problem, overly focused on defense only. When the other fighter is trying to bring the fight and all you are doing is running and slipping punches, that isn't going to win you the fight, especially a championship fight. His defense is high level, but his offense isn't. He's unbalanced as a fighter. He doesn't even counter punch, he just slips punches and uses footwork to evade.

 

[Uber_Noober]

Strickland

 

[LilNicky95]

Just got done watching Rigondeaux basically box circles around a champion while throwing next to no punches and he lost a very boring fight I thought he won. Everything about the man screams ATG boxer and yet his refusal to box like this isn’t the amateurs kills him every time. Any examples of guys who you knew had the skills to be the best but either their style ruined chances for them or they were canned before they were given a chance to succeed?

GSP


Yawn

 

[LegendOfTheGame]

Charles Oliveira

Yes, because a 90% finish rate and holding the record for the most submission wins and the record for most finishes isn't fan friendly.

 

[WritzCracka]

Yes, because a 90% finish rate and holding the record for the most submission wins and the record for most finishes isn't fan friendly.

I think it sure should be, but considering his PPV numbers are one of the lowest among all current champions right now and the lowest out of the top 5 in his division who are non-champs currently, it seems the fans aren't overly fond of watching him fight.

 

[jk7707]

Colby.

 

[Rationality]

T-Wood. I just couldn't stand his personality but peak T-Wood was a great fighter. I think fame derailed him.

Damian Maia.

Ubereem came across as arrogant.

Ronda Rousey. Hear me out -- Sherdog was the most united and happy it has ever been when Holly beat her. Ronda was more of a casual draw while many hardcore MMA fans couldn't stand this once-ever athlete.

Bisping, for some reason, gets a lot of hate.

 

[TheGrouch]

Still My Boy

 

[Rationality]

I'll see your Aleks and raise you a War Machine lol.

 

[Destino2018]

Elias Theodorou I suppose you could consider top tier considering he made it into the top 15 at middleweight, went 10-3 before his release

He could’ve memed his way to a title shot change my mind.

 

[TheNinja]

Jon Fitch is the #1 answer. During his time as the #2-#4 WW in the UFC he was by far the most hated fighter on these boards.